Heartbreak for Proteas, ecstasy for India

India beat South Africa by 52 runs to win the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 final at the Dr. DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Sunday, claiming their first-ever World Cup crown.

Deepti Sharma and Shafali Verma starred with both bat and ball to help India secure a tense win after South Africa had won the toss and elected to bowl.

Chasing 299, South Africa looked in contention at one stage but Deepti’s breakthrough sparked a dramatic collapse. After she dismissed Annerie Dercksen, the Proteas crumbled from 209/5 to 246 all out. Despite Nadine de Klerk's late fight, South Africa couldn't recover from the collapse.

Captain Laura Wolvaardt (101) led from the front with a magnificent century but lacked support as wickets fell regularly at the other end. Deepti was the standout performer with the ball, finishing with superb figures of 5/39 while Verma and Sree Charani chipped in with key wickets to seal a historic win for India.

Deepti turned the tide for India with a brilliant spell that yielded three crucial wickets, including that of Wolvaardt, who had kept her side in the hunt with a superb century.

But Deepti’s double strike in a single over that included Wolvaardt and Chloe Tryon came at a decisive stage, just as the required run rate began to climb, leaving South Africa under mounting pressure.

Earlier, Wolvaardt and Dercksen had offered resistance with a fifty-run stand, steering the Proteas past the 200-run mark after a collapse had left them reeling at 148/5. Deepti had earlier triggered that slide by dismissing Sinalo Jafta, following up on Verma’s impactful spell where she claimed two wickets in as many overs.

Verma had shifted the momentum India’s way by striking twice in quick succession, first removing Sune Luus in her opening over then claiming the prized wicket of Marizanne Kapp. That double blow tightened India’s grip on the contest before Jafta’s dismissal deepened South Africa’s troubles.

India’s first breakthrough came through sharp fielding when Tazmin Brits was run out by a direct hit from Amanjot Kaur at the non-striker’s end. Brits and Wolvaardt had given South Africa a solid foundation with a fifty-run opening stand in the PowerPlay, putting the pressure on India’s bowlers early in the chase.

Charani then struck in her first over to trap Anneke Bosch LBW. Despite the quick wickets, Wolvaardt continued to anchor the innings, bringing up her 39th ODI fifty and guiding South Africa past 100 alongside Luus.

Sensing the need for a breakthrough, captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s decision to bring Verma into the attack proved inspired. The opener’s twin strikes turned the momentum in India’s favour, setting the stage for Deepti’s match-defining spell that ultimately put India in control.

In the first innings, India put up 298/7 against South Africa, posting the second-highest score in a Women's ODI World Cup final. After a commanding 100-run opening stand, India were well placed at 223/3 but South Africa fought back to keep them below the 300 mark.

Verma (87) led the way with a fine knock while Deepti (58) steadied the innings towards the end. Richa Ghosh (34) added a lively cameo that gave India late momentum.

For South Africa, Ayabonga Khaka (3/58) was the standout performer with the ball while Nonkululeko Mlaba, De Klerk and Tryon picked up a wicket each.

Having lost the toss, India got India off to a brisk start with Verma and Smirit Mandhana putting up a 100-run partnership for the first wicket.

Mandhana (45), who looked in fluent touch, fell just short of her half-century but Verma kept the innings steady. She had a stroke of luck when Bosch dropped her on 55, a miss that proved costly as Verma went on to score a crucial knock that anchored India’s innings.

But South Africa found a way back into the game as Khaka struck twice in quick succession, removing two set batters in Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues to put India in a brief spot of bother. Every time India tried to build a partnership, the Proteas found a way to break it.

However, Deepti held the innings together from one end and her composure allowed India to recover after the middle-order wobble, even as wickets continued to fall around her. Toward the end, Ghosh provided the late spark India were hoping for, finding boundaries and pushing the total closer to 300.

However, just when India seemed set for a big finish, Ghosh fell in the penultimate over and De Klerk delivered a brilliant final over, conceding only six runs and denying India a late flourish. Only 12 runs came off the last two overs, leaving India slightly short of what looked possible at one stage.

Meanwhile, Cricket South Africa (CSA) has extended its congratulations to the Proteas Women on their outstanding achievement as runners-up in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.

In a gripping final against hosts India, the Proteas displayed courage throughout, marking a historic milestone as South Africa’s first-ever appearance in a World Cup final.

The Proteas Women’s journey to the final captured the hearts of millions back home. Under the guidance of Wolvaardt and head coach Mandla Mashimbyi, the side produced memorable performances against the world’s best, delivering a campaign defined by records, unity and an unbreakable South African spirit, which has become a hallmark for the team.

Throughout the tournament, the Proteas Women rewrote the record books. Their commanding semi-final victory against England saw them post a record-breaking total of 319/7, their highest ever score in a Women’s World Cup match.

Wolvaardt delivered a standout World Cup campaign. She led from the front with an extraordinary 169, setting a new benchmark for the highest individual score by a captain in a World Cup knockout fixture. Wolvaardt finished as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 571 runs, and her performances, combined with exemplary leadership, were pivotal to the team’s success throughout the tournament.

Kapp also continued to etch her name into cricketing history, becoming the leading wicket-taker in ICC Women’s World Cup history with 44 wickets.

CSA Chief Executive Officer, Pholetsi Moseki, who was in attendance at the Dr Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, shared his immense pride in the team’s performance and their historic journey to the final.

“Congratulations to coach Mandla Mashimbyi, captain Laura Wolvaardt and the entire squad for representing South Africa with such pride. Reaching the World Cup final is a significant milestone and the team’s consistency throughout the tournament is a testament to their hard work and unity.

“We are extremely proud of how this group has carried themselves, on and off the field and the many unforgettable moments they have given our fans. This journey is only the beginning.”